The Networker's 11th Birthday!

The Summer 1998 issue of the brand new Central Pennsylvania Holistic Health Networker was noted as Volume 1, Issue 1. Along with that evidence of positive thinking, the reader also found, "Remembering your purpose leads you to your destination."

I can't say that I had a grand vision for what the Networker could become. I only knew that the time was right in Central Pennsylvania to have such a publication…it seemed to be needed. And the time was right in my life to make it happen. Everything seemed to line up, as it will do when you are doing the "right" thing. (Thanks, Networker coaches and positive thinkers!)

A lot of people have supported the Networker's growth from a four-page newsletter to a 60 page magazine distributed at over 200 locations. It would take pages to thank all the advertisers, writers, artists and friends who gave of their energy during these ten years. I can acknowledge husband Tom (he of the Extraordinary Networker Support fame on page 4) daughter Lara, and our son Toma, who returned to spirit in winter, 2000.

I have to mention Bill Trivett of New Visions Books and Gifts in York, who was one of the first people in Central Pennsylvania to talk about "holistic health." Jan Wren, who founded The Inner-Connection Bookstore in New Cumberland, and Camille Baughman, Carlisle's and the area's first real massage therapist, have been wonderful friends and mentors.

It has been particularly gratifying to see the holistic community's growth throughout the area and to find so many of our former "unusual" ideas become so prevalent in the mainstream media. In 1998, I wrote about the difference between traditional, or allopathic, medicine and what was later widely recognized as "complementary," or "alternative," or "integrative medicine." Early articles explained what yoga, Reiki, meditation and tai chi were, what organic food was, and why we should eat more of certain things and less of others. I visited massage therapists and other holistic practitioners and wrote about my wonderful experiences. That was still pretty new stuff, at that time in Central PA. Environmental and energy issues were included and so were articles about spirituality, mind-body connection and many other topics that today are widely discussed.

A barometer of changes in the mainstream, the Harrisburg daily paper has recently featured articles about complementary medicine practices, organic gardening and lawn care, medicinal herbs, mediums, psychics, many environmental concerns, energy conservation and so much more that used to be mainly found in the "woo-woo" publications.

What does the next ten years hold for the Networker? I don't think our job is done, even though the mainstream press (not to mention TV and internet) now embrace so much of "our" subject matter. For one thing, we're dedicated to keeping the information local, accessible and affordable to the advertisers and readership alike. And there's the small matter of the great changes that are being foretold for the coming years.

As with every issue, I happily await the inspiring articles, art, poetry and events that will come across my desk. Finally, thank you readers, for your interest and support!